Barrel recoil structure for firearms



June 11, 1968 v. A. BROWNING BARREL RECOIL STRUCTURE FOR FIREARMS 5 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Sept 19, 1966 klit. .l:...v. .l

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INVENTOR.

VAL A. BROWNING BY H|S ATTORNEY June 11, 1968 v. A. BROWNING BARREL RECOIL STRUCTURE FOR FIREARMS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept 19, 1966 INVENTOR.

VAL A. BROWNING BY 4W HIS ATTORNEY FIG. 7

June 11, 1968 v. A. BROWNING 3,387,538

BARREL RECON.: STRUCTURE FOR FREARMS Filed Sept 19, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet im @Mmmm 1 w v2o FIG. 8

INVENTOR.

VAL A. BROWNING BY www HIS ATTORNEY United States Patent Utah Fixed sept. 19, 1965, ser. No. 580,459 6 Claims. (el. 89-177) ABSTRACT F TIE DISCLOSURE The present invention comprises an improvement in the recoil mechanisms of firearms such that the barrel recoil may be progressively slowed down after firing. This is accomplished by incorporation of a resilient tube, such as a urethane tube, circumscribing a compression spring in the recoil chamber.

Optionally, a resilient rod may be employed, with the spring in the recoil chamber encompassing the rod. The resilient member, whether rod or tube, will be resilient longitudinally and radially.

A piston, keyed to the barrel of the firearm, compresses the rod or tube, radially expanding the same in the manner such that the recoil member (rod or tube) frictionally engages the recoil spring, thereby supplying a pro gressively increasing braking action of the barrel during recoil.

A lost motion effect is preferably utilized through shortening the resilient rod or tube relative to the recoil spring so that the former becomes operative only after the initial recoil has taken place, this to allow the projectile to leave the barrel prior to commencement of the braking function.

The present invention relates to recoil mechanisms for firearms and, more particularly, to improved means by which barrel recoil may be progressively slowed down after tiring, to reduce kick to the user of the gun and shock-wear to various parts of the mechanism, and to enable a high energy-absorption rate for absorption or recoil momentum in an extremely inexpensive manner.

Accordingly, a principal object of the present invention is to provide a compact and rugged, recoil-absorbing device, whereby the effects of recoil on the shooter are lessened to an appreciable degree.

An additional object of the invention is to provide for a rearm having a recoil barrel, a simple, inexpensive, and yet highly eliicient means of progressively retarding the recoil of the barrel immediately upon firing, and this in such a manner that wear upon the gun mechanism is greatly reduced.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a combination spring and cooperating resilient member, within a recoil tube, in such manner that expansion and frictional coaction of the said parts through recoil provides a progressively increasing, reactive force for barrel recoil, thereby gradually slowing down the rearward travel of the barrel and thus absorbing recoil shock in a gradually increasing manner throughout a large portion of the distance of barrel recoil travel.

An additional object is to provide in the recoil tube of a firearm having a recoil barrel, a combination spring and elongate resilient member, preferably made of urethane, so as to take advantage of progressively increasing frictional forces between the spring and the resilient member as barrel recoil is experienced.

The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood "ice by a reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of a lirearm incorporating the principles of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary elevation, principally in vertical section, of the forward portion of the device shown in FIGURE l, and is slightly enlarged relative to the scale of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a vertical section taken along the lines 3-3 in FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a transverse vertical section taken along the line 4-4 in FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 5 is a transverse vertical section taken along the line 5-5 in FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary section, partially broken away, of a top plan of a portion of the recoil tube, with component parts, of the subject of firearm.

FIGURE 7 is a side elevation, partially in section and similar to the drawing of FIGURE 2, illustrating in particular the condition of a firearm when the same has been fired and the barrel through recoil, moves rearwardly relative to the recoil tube and receiver.

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectioned view of recoil tube and associated parts shown in FIGURES 2 and 7, illustrating the alteration in configuration of the co-acting, recoil-impeding parts for producing gradually increasing, frictional forces within the recoil tube, so as to slow down, progressively, barrel recoil.

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary sectional view of the recoil tube and associated arts of the present invention in a slight modification thereof, wherein the recoil compression spring is simply provided with a resilient core member instead of the enveloping resilient tube in FIGURE 8.

Referring to the drawings, the firearm in which the present invention is embodied comprises a receiver or frame 10 having a stock 11 xed to the rear end thereof and provided with the usual ejection opening 12. Siidably mounted in front of the receiver 10 is a barrel 13, shown in fragmentary view. The barrel includes the usual barrel extension 14 which is slidably received in the receiver in the -usual manner. The inventors U.S. Patents Nos. 2,788,714, 3,105,411, and 3,171,326 may be referred to in this regard.

It will be understood that when the firearm is tired, the barrel recoils rearwardly relative to the receiver 11i, to operate the breech block in a manner more fully explained in the inventors U.S. Patent No. 2,565,196.

In the firearm illustrated, the barrel extension is provided with an ejector (not shown) for ejecting the spent cartridge out of the ejection opening 12.

Braced or otherwise secured to the forward end of the receiver is a recoil tube 15 which contains the usual magazine spring 16, the latter abutting disc 17 which is retained in place by transverse pin 18. Pin 18, of course, is secured in transverse wall apertures 19 of tube 15. Of special importance is inclusion within recoil tube 15 of a resilient tube or tube member 20, the latter abutting in the usual case a second disc 21 seated against transverse pin 18. Compression spring 22 is shown seated within resilient tube 20 and also abuts the end 23 of piston 24. For opti- -mum operation the piston 24 includes lands 25 and 26, the latter reducing surface contact and hence frictional forces as between the piston and the inner wall of tube 15. The piston is preferably made of material such as nylon, Teon, or other low friction material, and includes a forward extension 215. The piston, as shown, includes a diameter aperture or bore B the latter of which receives depending extension or pin 27 of bracket 28. Bracket 28 includes a raised platform recess or cradle 29 for receiving depending lug 30 of barrel 13. The depending lug 30 may be affixed to the barrel by braising or other conventional B means. Bracket 28 may be securely retained in place by set screw 31 threaded through the threaded bore 32 of the forward extremity 25 of the piston. It will be seen that the rearward end of the set screw engages a receiving aperture 34 in extremity 25 in the manner shown. Tube 15 may be provided with a threaded forward end at 35 for receiving closure cap 36.

The rearm will be supplied with the usual additional equipment such as sighting means 37, trigger and trigger assembly 38, safety 39, and so forth. Forearm 40 is conventionally made of wood and, of course, will be secured in piace by the closure cap 36. In one embodiment of the invention there will be a rod 41 provided centrally of the spring 22 for preventing spring deformity during operation.

It is noticed that a lost-motion space 44 is provided between the resilient tube 29 and piston 24. This lost motion space 44 is suitably dimensioned (which depends in part upon projectile charge) to insure that, upon tiring,

the rearward movement of piston 24 will not cause a compression of resilient tube 20, through the piston 24 engaging the resilient tube 20 under compression-load conditions, until the missile has left the muzzle of the firearm.

FIGURE 3 represents a vertical transverse section, looking rearwardly, of the structure shown in FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a vertical section similar to that of FIG- URE 3, showing the parts in question.

FIGURE 5 illustrates that a member 46 may be cemented to the forearm 40 to align the latter, on installation, with the barrel.

As to additional structural details, it will be seen relative to FIGURE 6 that the recoil tube 15 includes an upper slotted area which is now designated as slot 48. This slotted area receives the pin-like extension 27 of piston 24. Also, side ears 49 and 50 may be suitably contoured and are supplied the tube for insuring that transverse pin 18 remains in place. Of importance is the configuration of depending lug 30. It is seen that the same is configured in the manner shown in FIGURE 4, having a lower surface table riding upon cradle surface 51 of the bracket 28. The lug and bracket are preferably interkeyed as shown in FIGURES 3 and 4. The rear surface 52 of depending lug 30 is preferably convex and slopes slightly downwardly and rearwardly, having a nestling relationship with the rear surface 52 of the bracket. Feeler slot 53 may be provided in the piston for alignment purpose in order to aid in the positioning of pin 27 in bore B. Bore B may be bevelled at B if desired, for assembly purposes.

The structure as thus described operates as follows.

FIGURE 2 illustrates the firearm immediately prior to firing. Upon firing the barrel, of course, will recoil rearwardly in the direction of arrow C. This rearward translation produces like translations of depending lug 30, bracket 28 into which the lug is seated, and piston 24. The lost-motion space 44, again, is provided so that the piston 24 in its rearward travel will not compression load the resilient tube until after the projectile has left the muzzle of barrel 13.

Upon contact of the rearwardly traveling piston 24 with the resilient tube 20, the latter will commence to be gradually compressed itself and, during such compression, see FIGURES 7 and 8, the wall W of the resilient tube 20 will commence to thicken and, further` now have slight inner, spring-hugging undulations U. This action serves to increase the friction between the outer wall of the resilient tube 20 and 'the inner wall I of recoil tube 15 and, in a more pronounced manner, the friction between the inner wall I of the resilient tube and spring 22. Of course, at this juncture it will be noted that the spring 20 itself will undergo substantial compression and hence diametrical enlargement.

Of special importance to note here is that there is a gradual but progressive retarding of the rearward motion of the piston 24, through the forces of friction developed with respect to the resilient tube 29 and spring 22 and the inner wall of recoil tube 15. At some point in piston travel the resiliency of tube 20 and spring 22 will be sufficient to overcome the momentum of barrel recoil so that a resiliency with the latter will return the barrel to its initial position as shown in FIGURE 2. In such a way, then, the recoil forces of the firearm are gradually and progressively absorbed, thereby lessening kick of firearm against the shoulder of the user and also increasing useful life of the firearm parts themselves. What results, hence, is a unique use of a novel principal or operation wherein a progressively increasing energy-absorption rate is utilized in inexpensive structure, so that the barrel in its recoil may be brought to its rearward extremity of recoil travel in a short but smooth operation, and this without strain on the mechanism or imparting a violent kick to the user of the gun.

FIGURE 9 presents a slightly modied form of the invention wherein, in lieu of a metallic, elongate spring guide 41. there may be provided, as a substitute for such guide and also for spring 22, a single resilient member 53 made of rubber, neoprene, are preferably urethane. In such event the piston 24 causes, through compression loading of member 53, a gradual radial expansion thereof. This in turn produces progressively increasing friction with the spring 22 and thus a progressive slowing down of piston 24 and, accordingly, of barrel 13. When the extremity of recoil is achieved, then the spring 22 operates as a return spring to return the piston to the initial position as shown in FIGURE 2.

Through repeated experimentation it has been found that material, urethane, is ideally suited for the internal compression member, for gradually increasing frictional forces within tube 15 and hence of progressively slowing down barrel recoil. This invention, thus, is an enlargement upon the inventions shown in the inventors Patents 3,115,063 and 3,105,441, being a further improvement thereon.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from this invention in its broader aspects, and, therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.

I claim:

1. In a lirearm of the type having a receiver and a barrel mounted for reciprocation with respect to said receiver: a recoil mechanism comprising a recoil tube mounted to and extending forwardly from said reeeiver beneath said barrel and having a longitudinal slot, said recoil tube also being provided with reaction means remote from its forward extremity; a piston operably disposed within said recoil tube, said rearm including means for determining the forward extremity of travel of said piston; means disposed through said longitudinal slot and interconnecting said barrel and said piston for translating said piston in accordance with barrel reciprocation; a piston return spring interposed within said recoil tube between said reaction means and said piston; and elongate, longitudinally straight, longitudinally and radially resilient means disposed in said recoil tube in cooperative proximity with said spring along a substantial portion of the length thereof and positioned between said piston and reaction means for progressively expanding radially toward said spring under piston recoil pressure and thereby increasingly frictionally cooperating with said spring for progressively and increasingly retarding rearward recoil travel of said piston.

2. Structure according -to claim 1 wherein said elongate resilient means comprises a tubular member circumscribing said return spring.

3. In a rearm of the type having a receiver and a barrel mounted for reciprocation with respect to said receiver: a recoil mechanism comprising a recoil tube mounted to and extending forwardly from said receiver beneath said barrel and having a longitudinal slot, said recoil tube also being provided with reaction means remote from its forward extremity; a piston operably disposed within said recoil tube, said firearm including means for determining the forward extremity of travel of said piston; means disposed through said longitudinal slot and interconnecting said barrel and said piston for translating said piston in accordance with barrel reciprocation; a piston return spring interposed within said re- `coil tube between said reaction means and said piston; and elongate resilient means disposed in said -recoil tube in cooperative proximity with said spring along a substantial portion of the length thereof and positioned between said piston and reaction means for progressively expanding under piston recoil pressure and thereby increasingly frictionally cooperating with said spring for progressively and increasingly retarding rearward recoil travel of said piston, said elongate resilient means comprising a urethane tubular member circumscribing said return spring.

4. Structure according to claim 1 wherein said elongate resilient means comprises an elongate resilient rod disposed interior of and in frictional proximity with said spring.

5. In a firearm of the type having a receiver and a barrel mounted for reciprocation with respect to said receiver: a recoil mechanism comprising a recoil tube mounted to and extending forwardly from said receiver beneath said barrel and having a longitudinal slot, said recoil tube also being provided with reaction means remote from its forward extremity; a piston operably disposed within said recoil tube, said firearm including means for determining the forward extremity or travel of said piston; means disposed through said longitudinal slot and interconnecting said barrel and said piston for translating said piston in accordance with barrel reciprocation; a piston return spring interposed within said recoil tube between said reaction means and said piston; and elongate resilient means disposed in said recoil tube in cooperative proximity with said spring along a substantial portion of the length thereof and positioned between said piston and reaction means for progressively expanding under piston recoil pressure and thereby increasingly frictionally cooperating with said spring for progressively and increasingly retarding rearward recoil travel of said piston, and wherein there is provided a lost-motion space between said piston at the latters forward extremity of travel and said elongate resilient means, where the latter is uncompressed and abuts said reaction means, said lost-motion space being dimensioned such that a tired projectile will have left the muzzle of said barrel before said piston enga-ges, in its rearward recoil travel, said elongate resilient means.

6. In a firearm of the type having a receiver and a barrel mounted for reciprocation with respect to said receiver: :a recoil mechanism comprising Ia recoil tube mounted to and extending forwardly from said receiver beneath said barrel and having a longitudinal slot, said recoil tube also being provided with reaction means remote from its forward extremity; a piston operably disposed Within said recoil tube, said firearm including means for determining the forward extremity of travel of said piston; means disposed through said longitudinal slot and interconnecting said barrel and said piston for translating said piston in accordance with barrel reciprocation; a spring interposed under compression within said recoil tube between said reaction means and said piston; and elongate longitudinally straight, longitudinally and radially resilient means disposed in said recoil tube in cooperative frictional proximity with said spring along a substantial portion of the length thereof and positioned between said piston and reaction means for progressively expanding radially toward said spring under piston recoil pressure and thereby increasingly frictionally cooperating with said spring for progressively and increasingly retarding rearward recoil travel of said piston.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,162,138 11/1915 Clark. 2,788,714 4/1957 Browning 89-177 2,962,935 12/1960 Hepperle 89-198 X 3,116,056 12/1963 Maier 267-1 3,336,838 8/1967 Wilson.

FOREIGN PATENTS 577,894 5 1946 Great Britain.

BENJAMIN A. BORCHELT, Primary Examiner.

S. C. BENTLEY, Assistant Examiner. 

